Review of Advanced Aerospace Contract Deliverables

This information memo, dated 30 October 2009, serves as a formal review of technical deliverables provided to the Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) under the Advanced Aerospace Weapon System Applications contract. The contract was held by Bigelow Aerospace Advanced Space Studies (BAASS), LLC. The primary objective of this contract was to identify key technologies and physics concepts to support revolutionary aerospace vehicle research and development. The studies covered diverse areas including lift, propulsion, control, power generation, spatial/temporal translation, materials, structural configuration, signature reduction, human interface, human effects, and armament. These reports were authored by technical experts from industry and academia. The DIA conducted a review of 26 technical reports delivered in FY 2009, with assistance from outside reviewers, including staff from Sandia National Laboratories. The reviews were generally positive, and the DIA expressed an intent to publish these findings as Defense Intelligence Studies. Looking forward, the memo notes that Congress was expected to fund the contract's option year at $12 million. The DIA planned to utilize the FY 2009 reports to evaluate potential adversary exploitation worldwide and to initiate further classified and unclassified studies with academic and industry partners, with deliverables expected in late summer 2010.